Boys of Summer

As most of you know, my boys love baseball. They play it everyday in the backyard...by themselves or with the neighbor. Now I wouldn't win any curb appeal awards anyway, but after a couple of years of a baseball field in the back yard...definitely not! It reminds me of growing up playing baseball in our yard with my brother and friends. My yard now is reminding me of the good old days when dad used to steal a quote from Harmon Killebrew:

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass"; "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys".

I'm so thankful for my boys and love that they are able to run, jump, and play outside. I have the rest of my life to worry about my yard, but cherish the time with my boys playing ball in the back yard. I would much rather have bases worn into my lawn than have my boys inside sitting in front of the tv all summer!

This is home plate

Wacky Pack is getting Wackier!!!!

That's right, we're having another baby! Debbie is due January 12th and feeling good. We are all excited for a new baby in the house. So...boy or girl???

Watching You

Tomorrow is a day that I love...Fathers Day. I love being a dad and couldn't imagine my life without Blake and Gavin. God has blessed me so much with 2 wonderful boys. I love watching them grow up and see their personalities develop. I also need to remember that they are a gift from God and are always watching what I do. I love you guys!

Barbarian Night!

We started having Barbarian Night a couple of years ago. My brothers family does it and it was pretty cool hearing about it. It is a night at the dinner table where anything goes...no utensils, no napkins, no manners, always a big mess. We only do it about twice a year but it is always lots of fun and lots of laughs. You can't have Barbarian night with hamburgers, pizza, chicken, or any other normal food you eat with your hands. It HAS to be something messy!!! We do it with spaghetti!!! Gavin eats his spaghetti with no sauce anyway, so he doesn't get quite as messy...but he does eat with his hands. Blake on the other hand...big MESS!!! Debbie and I get into it too, but she won't let me take pics of her :). It works out well in the summer...after dinner they just get hosed off! About half way through dinner, Gavin said, "Dad, why did God make you so crazy?" Not sure, but I love making memories with my family!

Debbie is the Greatest!!!

As you already know, Blake entered Debbie in the Lancaster Barnstormers "My Mom is the Greatest" contest. He filled out the nomination form and I typed it out for him to email to the Barnstormers. On May 14th, we got the call that Debbie was chosen as one of the five finalists. We had family and friends in from all over the United States for Papa's funeral so they got to share in that time with us and spread the word to "Vote for Debbie!" Blake's story spread like wild fire. We had family, friends, and many people we've never met voting for Debbie from all over the WORLD!

This past Sunday, June 6 was the big day. We got to Clipper Magazine Stadium around 12:30 and waited for the big announcement. Rick, Ginger, Garrett, and Brooke made signs to show their support. The 5 finalists were escorted down to the field and given bouquets of flowers by their kids. As Cylo gave a drum roll on his belly, I.M. Fun announced the winner...Debbie Glass!

After congrats and hugs from the other moms and Cylo, Debbie had to do the thing she dreaded most...throw out the first pitch! It wasn't a strike, but it didn't have to be. It wasn't about "the pitch", but what the pitch represented. Much needed recognition for a mom who was just "doing her job".

God has given Blake, Gavin, and I a special gift as a wife and mother. She deserved this! I love her so much and am so proud of her. I could steal a quote from my dad and say that "my chest was sticking out more than my belly".

All of the family was taken up to one of the suites where we enjoyed all you could eat hot dogs, hamburgers, wings, mac and cheese, potato salad, salad, sodas, and giant cookies. Celebrating with us was my Dad and Mom, Barb, Uncle Joe, Mama, Rick & Ginger, Abbey, Chad, Garrett, Brooke, Elene, and Kimon. It was a GREAT day for the GREATEST MOM!

So, what did she win? Well...

4 Dutch Wonderland tickets

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre tickets

Gretna Theatre tickets

Lancaster Symphony Orchestra tickets

Family pass to the new YMCA

Salon package with pedicures, manicures, hair cuts

Gift basket and gift card from Darrenkamps

$50 gift card for Barnstormer merchandise

Barnstormer game tickets

So it looks like we have some other things to do this summer besides baseball...nah, that can wait until the season is over :) To all of our family, friends and our new friends from around the world who helped make this day possible, we say THANK YOU!!!